19 Firefighters Killed

[crash325]

I know a lot of Firemen. They are brave courageous individuals. I really look forward to an explanation of what caused this tragic loss. Something went wrong quickly for such a large number of brave men to have died. Firemen are not given to doing something that is life threatening when involved in fire suppression. In my opinion something got out of control quickly and trapped the men. Was it something management should have seen or anticipated at the time of deployment, time will tell.

Although I live a couple hundred miles south of Yarnell , Wind here was horrific. Have seen it bad before but rarely like last night. Steady 50/ 60 MPH. Then the gusts would hit. At one point I thought that it was hailing. Not hail but small rocks. Dust, dirt & rocks completely blocked out vision beyond a few feet. Thought it was going to rain, maybe 10 drops all together.

Yarnell was a very small mining town from the old days. In the 60's the hippies found it. 300 Homes, give or take a few, 200 of them are now gone.

I don't think those poor firefighters had a chance. But chances are no one could have predicted weather like last night.

 

[RobertN]

It's a rough day to lose any, much less 19. We have lost two to cancer in our district; I can not imagine losing 1/5th of our district at once. It is truly devestaing fo the familes, and the tight knit Fire Department family.

 

[creekbend]

My Prayers go out to all the Families.

 

[DABSGT]

I know a lot of Firemen. They are brave courageous individuals. I really look forward to an explanation of what caused this tragic loss. Something went wrong quickly for such a large number of brave men to have died. Firemen are not given to doing something that is life threatening when involved in fire suppression. In my opinion something got out of control quickly and trapped the men. Was it something management should have seen or anticipated at the time of deployment, time will tell.

Looks like it was a wind shift turned the fire back on them they were trapped.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[cqaigy2]

So sorry to hear the news this morning. I can't imagine what that will be like for their family and community.

 

[Bird]

As with some others of you, I just don't have the words to adequately describe such a tragedy.

 

[houstonscott]

Lets take the money we give Egypt and get a real natioal fire fighting service with modern aircraft. No more contract crap. Lets get serious again.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/a.../2009/08/firefighting-thumb-450x345-44684.jpg

HS

 

[Scooby074]

My sympathies to the brave men and their families.

Firefighters are amongst the bravest. These guys were the elite, like the Navy Seals of firefighters. Something must have went real wrong, real fast for them to get caught. I understand they sent multiple planes and helicopters in an effort to protect them and they were bunkered down in their shelters, but it was too late.

 

[cqaigy2]

I remember doing volunteer ff in the Wenatchee/Ellensburg area. The wind could blow fire right over your head into fuel back beyond your escape route, so quick. I have to admit to tears when i heard this news.